Michelle Ogden
Michelle Ogden is a Library Assistant in the Reference & Local History Department at CDPL.
Interest in sewing, mending or re-making clothes has become popular again. As people found joy in hand crafts during COVID, they also became aware of the pitfalls of Fast Fashion, a term referring to quickly-made, cheap clothing that is a fad and will be instantly discarded. The cheap garments fall apart or fade fast, they don’t fit well and are bad for the environment, often being made in sweatshops. If you browse through Instagram and TikTok you will find various sewing influencers showing off unique fashions they created. You can purchase a pattern online and print it out immediately or order custom made fabric.
Sewing your own clothes used to be common and skills were passed down from generation to generation. I remember my grandmother used to take the buttons and zippers off of garments before using them as rags. She would reuse the buttons on a new dress or shirt and the zipper would go into another skirt. Thinking about her industriousness, I recently dug my sewing machine out of the closet again – the last time I used it was to make face masks. My New Year’s resolution is to make myself a pair of pants that are tailored just for me. I will start with making a pattern sloper (a foundational pattern that follows the natural lines of a figure) out of muslin to get the fit perfect. Once I have that done I can make many pairs of pants from it that will look better than anything purchased in a store. I am lucky to have learned these skills from my grandmother and mother. But, if you are a complete beginner, you can always turn to the local library.
There is a lot to learn when you start any new hobby and a great place to begin is at the Reference desk at the library. Ask us for the sewing section of non-fiction books on pattern making, sewing for beginners, mending, and many more topics. Children’s Services has books for young sewists as well. In addition, check out online (video) classes from our Creativebug platform. Access comes with your library card, just follow the link under Econtent on the library’s webpage (cdpl.lib.in.us). The classes offered by Creativebug will not only help you learn to sew, but there are more advanced classes on slopers, getting the perfect fit, and teaching you hacks to make sewing easier and faster. These classes also include patterns and instructions. The library offers classes on mending, take-and-make packs on weaving and the monthly YarnWorks program (2nd Monday of the month) if you want to branch out into other fiber crafts. Make a sweater to go with the skirt or pants you make.
Come to the library to check all available resources on sewing. Do something creative with your hands and get a one of a kind garment to wear that is just your style. This is one TikTok trend that I hope stays around for a while.
CDPL is open Mon-Thu from 9a-9p, Fri-Sat from 9a-5p and on Sundays from 1p-5p. If you have questions please reach out by email at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us or by phone at 765-362-2242, ext. 117.
